Sri Lanka Economic Crisis Live News Updates: Acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe, while announcing key measures right after he was sworn in on Friday, abolished the president's flag and the use of 'His Excellency' for president.
Earlier on Friday, he had urged all lawmakers to take part in the process to elect a new president, which should finish within seven days. The presidential polls will be held on 20 July, informed the speaker's office.
This comes after Rajapaksa emailed his resignation letter to the speaker on Thursday, 14 July after reaching Singapore.
Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka Supreme Court issued an interim order preventing former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and former Minister Basil Rajapaksa from leaving the country until 28 July, without the court's permission, reported Daily Mirror.
Sri Lankan army officers stand guard after protesters vacated the President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's official residence in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on Thursday, 14 July.
(Photo: PTI)
The Singapore Foreign Ministry said that neither has asylum been granted to Rajapaksa nor has he asked for it
The government of Maldives said in a statement that it had granted diplomatic clearance for a Sri Lankan Air Force jet carrying Rajapaksa and his wife
Wickremesinghe was asked to step down in an emergency all-party meeting on Wednesday, 13 July
The leaders at the meeting demanded that the speaker take over as acting president instead
Country of 22 million people, is under the grip of an unprecedented economic crisis, the worst in seven decades, leaving millions struggling to buy food, medicine, fuel, and other essentials
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'Will Contest To Be President': Opposition Leader
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said he will contest for the post of president when nominations are called next week.
“I am contesting to be the president. Electorate is confined to 225 MPs with the GR coalition dominating the numbers. Even though it is an uphill struggle I am convinced that truth will prevail,” he tweeted.
Acting Prez Visits Injured Soldiers at Hospital
Acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe visited soldiers injured during anti-government demonstrations, at the army hospital on Friday, NewsWire reported.
Speaker Issues Gazette Announcing Gotabaya's Resignation
The speaker has issued a gazette notification on Friday, 15 July, announcing the official resignation of Gotabaya Rajapaksa from the president's post.
He had emailed his resignation from Singapore on Thursday and it was accepted on Friday morning.
President's Flag Abolished, ' His Excellency' Not to Be Used
Acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who was officially sworn in to the post on Friday, announced that the term 'His Excellency' will no longer be used for the President. While announcing key measures, he also abolished the President's flag "since the country needs only one national flag," NewsWire reported.
He further added that:
Steps are underway to reinstate the 19th Amendment to the Constitution (which dilutes the powers of the Executive Presidency)
Measures are being taken for the new President, who will be elected next week, to present the 19th Amendment to Parliament
Increased security for MPs as there are being pressurised to elect a new president soon
A committee comprising tri-forces and police has been appointed to ensure law and order in the country
All parties have been urged to come to a common consensus on the establishment of an all-party interim government